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(No Model.)

R. MORRIS. Y Implement for Resizing, Capping and' Uncapping Cartridges.

' Ne. 242,676. Patented June 1,1881.

FIGA

UT I.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

RICHARD MORRIS, OFABLACKHEATH, COUNTY OF KENT, ENGLAND.

IMPLEMENT FOR RESIZING, CAPPING, AND UNCAPPING CARTRIDGES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 242,676, dated June '7, 1881.

Application filed December 1, 1880. (No model.) Patented in EnglandJune 26,1880.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD MORRIS, of Blackheath, in the county of Kent, England, have invented an Improved Apparatus for Resizing, Uncappiug, and Recappiug Cartridge- Cases, (for which I have obtained a patent in Great Britain, No. 2,602, bearing date June 26, 1880,) of which the following is a specification.

When a cartridge has been fired the empty case withdrawn from the dre-arm is somewhat expanded or otherwise forced out of its proper shape, and it has on it the case of the fired percussion-cap. p

My invention relates to a simple and portable apparatus, which can be used by troops in the eld, for rendering the cases of fired cartridges available for repeated use, this apparatus being arranged so that the cartridgecase is by its use restored to its proper size and shape, has its used cap removed from it, and can be provided with a new cap, so as to be ready for charging, in order to be tired again.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figurelis a sectional view of the implement in position for restoring the shell to its true size and shape, and for removing the used cap; Fig. 1f, a sectionalview of the implement in position for recapping the cartrid ge-shell; and Fig. 2 is a view ofthe hammer.

rlhe said apparatus is shown in vertical section at Fig. 1, consisting of three parts-an external cylindrical shell, A, bored out irternally or hushed to the size and shape of the cartridge-case, a bottom cover,iB, iitting the end of A, and an internal mandrel, C, fitting the mouth of the cartridge-case. The mandrel C has onl its head a collar work-ing in a recess of the die, so that it cannot be taken out without removing the head of the die, and this collar is hollowed on the top, for a purpose which will presently be explained.

The cartridge-case to be operated on is introduced into the die, and its base is inserted into the hollow of the cover B, which rests on a table or other support. The top of the shell A is then struck with the flat face of a copper or other soft-metal hammer, such as is shown to a small scale at Fig. 2, until it meets the cover B, the cartrid gecase being thus restored to its true size and shape. This being done the hollow head of the mandrel. C is struck with the rounded nose D of the hammer, driving the cartridge-case'out of the die. lowing ofthe head of the mandrel has the effectrot' centralizing the blow of D, which, if it is struck at a point not central, or nearly so, might tend to bend` the mandrel.

For effecting the removal of the used cap from the cartridge-case the end of the mandrel C is provided with asmall punch, E, which, when the mandrel is struck, will force the cap out of the cap-chamber through a hole, b, in the cover B.

Punchesfof various sizes may be fitted to the mandrel, each being made with a coned butt secured by a coned socket, e, screwed on the end of the mandrel.

The cartridge-case having been thus .resized and uncapped the apparatus is turned upside down, as shown at Fig. 3, and the punch removed from the mandrel, an anvil and cap are placed in the cap-chamber, and, the cover B being fitted ou, the cap is then driven home in the chamber by means ot' a capping-stud, B', which is fixed in the cover B, and provided with a head to prevent the cap from. being driven iu too far. The cover B is then taken oft' and the prepared cartridge is removed in order to be re-fiiled. The shell A may be provided with bushes of diderent sizes to suit various descriptions ot' cartridges.

Heretofore van implement for loading and capping cartridges has been constructed of a hollow casin g and an independent ejector, having at one end a cartridge-dislodging pin, and at the other end a cap-detaching piu; but such, broadly, is not my invention. In my structure the mandrel is entirely inclosed within the exterior shell or casing, and is confined therein by a detachable cap on the shell or casing, and the mandrel is adapted to enter a cartridge-case sustained and supported within one end ofthe shell or casing to uncap and resize the cartridge-case.

Having thus described the nature of my iuvention and in what manner the saine is to be performed, I claimrEhe holofthe shell for uncapping and resizing said cartridge-case, substantially as and for the purposes described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name to this specification in the presence of r o two subscribing Witnesses.

RICHARD MORRIS.

Witnesses:

GHAs. D. ABEL, OLIVER IMRAY. 

